Efforts to enact a statewide voter ID requirement have been proposed repeatedly by Republicans in the Maine Legislature in recent years, but have been repeatedly blocked by Democrats, who have criticized the costs of such a program and warned that the new requirement would create long lines at the polls and effectively discourage voting.

Libby said she expects to have petitioners at “a couple hundred” polling stations in all 16 counties across the state. Libby said she is aiming to have the statewide referendum in 2025 or 2026, depending on when she submits the signatures.

To make the ballot in 2025, signatures would need to be submitted by Jan. 23, 2025, according to the secretary of state’s office.